Improvement in cartridge-loaders



E. MAYNARD.

- Cartridge. 894, No. 31,898} Patented Apr. 2, 1861.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD MAYNARD, OF .WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-LOADERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 31,898, dated April 2, 1861.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD MAYNARD, of Washington city in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and Improved Gartridge-loader; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification- Figure 1 being a top view of said imimproved cartridge-loader Fig. 2, a side view of the same; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section thezeof, as also of a cartridge and a projectile which are placed within the same; Fig. 4, alongitudinal section ofa slightly-modified form of said cartridge-loader, and Fig. 5 a side view of one of the styles of cartridges whose loading may be facilitated by the use of the said cartridge-loader.

It is well known to all who are familiar with the subject that if an oblong projectile be set within the mouth of a cartridge in such a position that the axis of the former will not be coincident with that of the latter, it will be impossible, to attain accurate shooting by the use of such loaded cartridge in any description of fire-arms.

To attain perfect accuracy in the setting of oblong projectiles within the mouths of cartridges, and in a certain and rapid manner, is the object of my present invention.

Fig. 3 of the drawings showsthat the perforation in the shank portion of the cartridgeloader is of such a size and shape that a projectile, a, and a cartridge, 1), will fit closely within the same when the said projectile is accurately set within the mouth of said cartridge; and this accuracy in the setting of a projectile within its cartridge I attain by the following simple process, viz After a proper charge of powder has been placed within a cartridge, 1 place a loose projectile within the perforation in the shank of the loader; then I slip the said hollow portion of the loader over the said powder-charged cartridge; then I place the said cartridge upon a smooth and firm supporter, and then I strike a blow upon the head of the loader of sufficient force to drive the projectile into the mouth of the cartridge and to the position represented in Fig. 3.

I shall generally give the head of my said cartridge-loader substantially the knob-shape represented in the accompanying drawings, for the purpose of enabling it to be struck with the palm of the hand with sufficient force to drive a projectile to its proper position within the mouth of a cartridge.

The vent c, which leads outwardly from the apex of the conical termination of the perforation in the shank portion of the cartridgeloader, may be a lateral aperture similar to that represented in Fig. 3 of the drawings, or it may be a through-aperture, similar to that represented in Fig. at of said drawings. If an angular through-aperture be formed in the cartridge-loader in the relative. position represented in Fig. 4, the said aperture may receive a cutting-instrument for removing a portion of the point of the projectile at right a-ngles to the axis of the same; or the said aperture may temporarily receive the shank of a. screw-driver, as circumstances may require.

In a longitudinal groove formed in the side of the head portion of my said cartridgeloader, I place a screw-driver, d, and pivot the same in such a manner, that while it can be used with facility when in an open position,it will not injure the pocket of the carrier when it is in a closed position. Other grooves may be formed in the head portion of said cartridge-loader for the reception of any other article that may hereafter be deemed useful.

Having thus fully described my improved cartridge-loader, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The lateral or through aperture which communicates with the termination of the longitudinal cartridge-cavity in said loader, and which may serve the respective purposes herein set forth. I

2. Giving such a shape to the knob-head of my improved cartridge-loader that a screwdriver, or some other useful article, may be jointed thereto and partially concealed therein, substantially in the manner herein set forth. The above specification of my improved cartridge-loader signed and witnessed this 31st day of January, 1861.

EDWARD MAYNARD. Witnesses:

SAML. DRURY, GEO. 0. DE MARINL 

